In this episode of Starfishing for Peace, host Kirsteen McLay continues her in-depth conversation with Alaa Sukar, a Syrian Kiwi, about life in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Alaa discusses recent violence against minority groups—including Druze, Alawites, Christians, and Kurds—explaining how remnants of ISIS, Assad-era divisions, and widespread weapons have created instability. He reflects on Syria’s ancient multicultural heritage and the deep historical coexistence of Muslims, Christians, and Jews. The conversation explores safety for tourists, Syria’s rich hospitality culture, Alaa’s personal experiences during the revolution, and the ongoing regional impact of Israel’s actions in southern Syria and the continuing struggle for Palestine.

In this episode of Starfishing for Peace, host Kirsteen McLay speaks with Alaa Sukar, a Syrian New Zealander, about life in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad on 8 December 2024. Alaa describes decades of dictatorship, the collapse of civil society under Assad, and the mixed reactions to Syria’s new leadership under Ahmed al-Shara. He explains both the fears and surprising stability emerging in post-Assad regions, as well as the dangers posed by Israel’s ongoing invasions and airstrikes in southern Syria. Alaa discusses sectarian tensions, the fragility of governance, and the challenges Syrians face rebuilding their country after 60 years of repression and 14 years of war.

In this episode of Starfishing for Peace, host Kirsteen McLay continues her conversation with Rev. Dr. Graeme Redding, exploring how religion has been used throughout history to justify nationalism, conflict, and genocide. They discuss the Crusades, the Holocaust, and modern examples in which spiritual language is exploited for political power. Graeme explains the responsibility of faith communities to protect the vulnerable, resist aligning with oppressive regimes, and challenge dehumanising rhetoric wherever it appears. The discussion emphasises that violence is rooted not in religion itself but in human tendencies toward fear, power, and division—and that authentic faith can instead inspire justice, welcome, and peace.

In this episode of Starfishing for Peace, host Kirsteen McLay speaks with Rev. Dr. Graham Redding about the dangers of using religion to justify nationalism, conflict, and state violence. Graham explains how the belief in national exceptionalism—claiming God is on one nation’s side—has historically fuelled oppression, from ancient Israel to modern America, including support for the war in Gaza. They discuss how scripture can be weaponised to excuse injustice or, alternatively, inspire liberation movements such as the U.S. civil rights struggle. Graham calls for compassion, truth-telling, accountability, and political courage as essential foundations for achieving real peace in Israel-Palestine and beyond.

In this continuation of their kōrero, host Kirsteen McLay speaks with Whaea Tania Williams about the many community-focused initiatives at Arai te uru Marae, including Pataka Ora community meals, the marae gardens, water-quality projects, and collaborations with local organisations such as KiwiHarvest, Red Cross, and the Otago Corrections Facility. Tania discusses the importance of embracing all people, supporting diverse food needs, and strengthening cultural bridges with migrant and former refugee communities. She also shares insights on nurturing peace, avoiding gossip, and cultivating inner balance. The episode highlights how simple, compassionate, community-based actions can help build a more peaceful Aotearoa.

In this episode of Starfishing for Peace, host Kirsteen McLay speaks with Whaea Tania Williams about her lifelong connection to Arai te uru Marae, the importance of whakapapa, and the role of Māori values in nurturing peace, identity, and community wellbeing. Tania reflects on her upbringing, the Māori Renaissance, revitalisation of te reo, and the wisdom held within indigenous worldviews. She also discusses Pataka Ora, the marae’s community meals that provide kai, connection, and life enhancement for all. Together, they explore how compassion, culture, and collective responsibility can guide Aotearoa toward a more peaceful and balanced future.

In this episode of Starfishing for Peace, host Kirsteen McLay delves into Lionel Shriver’s provocative novel Mania, a dystopian world where calling someone “stupid” is illegal and language is strictly controlled to enforce artificial “mental parity.” Kirsteen explores how the book satirises censorship, conformity, and the dangers of suppressing free thought, drawing insightful parallels to real-world examples where governments limit personal freedoms, restrict women’s rights, or silence dissent.

Alongside the literary analysis, she reflects on how childhood, empathy, and moral development shape future generations, highlighting why protecting open dialogue and critical thinking is essential for a peaceful society. Thoughtful, challenging, and deeply relevant, this episode invites listeners to examine how societies drift toward extremism—and how individuals can stand up for truth, compassion, and human rights.